AROUND one homeless person a month dies while rough sleeping in Glasgow, it has been revealed.

The manager of The Lodging House Mission, which hosts the Glasgow Winter Night Shelter, says service users are dying at an alarming rate.

The shock revelation comes after the body of a woman living in a tent was found in the Gallowgate area of the city – less than a mile from the Night Shelter – on Thursday morning.

It is believed the female had been involved with the Govanhill Women’s Project prior to her death but had no permanent accommodation.

The tragedy is one of hundreds unfolding on the city streets and follows a report by the Critical Incident and Homeless Deaths group, set up by Glasgow City Council, which showed that 47 people with open homelessness assessments died between October 2017 and October 2018.

Additionally, dozens of deaths were reported in supported accommodation and hostels around the city - including Glasgow Night Shelter and the Bellgrove Hotel.

Gus Smeaton, of The Lodging House Mission, said the increase in dangerous drugs including street Valium has become more common among service users and could be contributing to the deaths.

He added: “We’re averaging at around one death a month right now.

“It’s really sad. We aim to build relationship with these people as well as giving them the assistance they need.

“Our view is that the drugs people are using seem to be becoming more dangerous and users don’t know what is in them. Street Valium seems to be a particular problem.”

Mr Smeaton explained: “There is a lot of complex issues at play, including mental health problems that can often lead to people becoming homeless.

“It is why homelessness is so difficult to solve. You can’t just throw money at the problem and hope it goes away.”

Last week’s death follows the passing of 40-year-old Ian Kirkland from Paisley, who was found dead in September last year after spending months sleeping on the streets, and Matthew Bloomer, who was found dead freezing temperatures on Argyle Street in 2017.

Graham Dallas, a member of volunteer-led organisation Help The Homeless Glasgow, died in March.

McKinnon’s Bar and Lounge, who shared a tribute to the female following her death, said her family has been made aware.

The Gallowgate business added: “They are obviously heartbroken and devastated.

“She knew her family were always waiting on her going home but sadly mental health got the better of her.”

Police Scotland are treating the death as unexplained.

A spokesman for Glasgow City Council said their Street Team and Housing First project are actively working to end homelessness in the city.

The Housing First model which Glasgow City Council has adopted will supply homes for long term homeless people with complex needs including alcohol, drug addiction and mental health issues.